This post was originally published on the Mumubl.com Newsletter. For updates and recommendations direct to your inbox don’t forget to subscribe.
Hi – Itโs Dave here at Mumubl.com, welcome to our recommendation email where I give you some tips on whatโs great to listen to and watch in the world of music.
So having gone from never doing an albums of the year post we’re now on the third and looking back at 2024. It was a year I feel I encountered some great albums but maybe didn’t listen to quite as much new music as I did in 2023. I’ve gone for a short list of 5 again which is always a challenge, there were many more that could have made the list – Laura Marling’s “Patterns in Repeat” nearly made a late inclusion in the top 5 but as I didn’t listen to it till 2025 I’m not adding it on the list.
As I’ve done in previous years I’ll caveat that these aren’t necessarily the “best” albums of the year, they’re my favourite and amongst the ones I’ve listened to most out of the albums I listened to in 2024. My Spotify wrapped may have Imagine Dragons at the top but that’s largely the kid’s doing so “Loom” doesn’t make the list (still give it a listen though). Other near misses include “Gonzo” by Chilly Gonzales (listen to his Art of Longevity interview whilst you’re at it), “Hit me hard and soft” by Billie Eilish, “The Big Decider” by The Zutons and “Viva Hinds” by Hinds. So if you’re after other listens beyond the top 5 below then check those out as well.
Read on and hopefully find something new to enjoy – and don’t just let my brief spiel shift your view either way, go and give them a listen and decide for yourself.
As always – tell all your friends – every little share helps
Thanks!
Dave
In this edition
The K’s / Everything Everything / Last Dinner Party / Nada Surf / Fontaines D.C. / MUMUBL.COM
The K’s – I wonder if the world knows
The K’s first came onto my radar listening to the Merseyside edition of BBC Music Introducing with Dave Monks, which reminds me I havenโt listened to it for a whole and really must do. Their single “Chancer” got quite a few plays on the show and I quite enjoyed it, although only later did I realise itโs about a lad who tries to hook up with a stripper. “Sarajevo” followed on with a few more plays and as soon as it was announced I had the album on preorder, accidentally twice.
A group of lads from Warrington way, up in the North West of England their tales of local lads and stories set to banging guitars and catchy tunes bring to mind the early Arctic Monkeys.
Everything Everything – Mountainhead
“Raw Data Feel” by Everything Everything made my albums of the year not so long back and I was well primed for the band’s follow up. The description of the album as being about consumerism but also about a society that dedicate themselves to building a mountain with religious fervour gave a bit of a “huh” moment. Then the first single “Cold Reactor” landed and I gave it a quick listen and it didnโt hit home for me for some reason, not that I didnโt like it but some of those “Raw Data Feel” tracks were so so good. That left me a little concerned at the upcoming album, an album I so wanted to enjoy on the back of the last one. But then I remembered “Raw Data Feel” took a couple of listens and in all honesty I don’t think it took as many to get really into “Mountainhead”.
“Cold Reactor” has grown on me since but other tracks such as “Wild Guess”, “RU Happy?” and “The Mad Stone” have all stood out on a brilliant follow up from the band. “The Mad Stone” for a while was often requested on the school run by my 5 year old daughter – proof that EE have crossed the generations with this release.
Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy
There was hype, there was talk of industry plants, money behind the scenes and all of this I was aware of before hearing a note from the band.ย But it was something I wasn’t bothered about, you get numb to this kind of nonsense and just wait to judge the music on what you listen to. The first couple of releases piqued my interest and when the album eventually dropped I would say I wasn’t disappointed.
It felt like it didn’t blow me away like the hype might have promised but I did find myself playing it a lot. The album has so many great highlights, songs like “Caesar on a TV Screen” and “Sinner”. If you haven’t seen it, the Glastonbury set from this year is worth watching, you can most likely still find it on the BBC iPlayer.
Moon Mirror – Nada Surf
A mainstay in my podcast listening has been The Art of Longevity and as the name suggests the focus is on bands who have achieved longevity in the music industry. So it’s always intriguing when the artist in question, who has had a longevitous* career, is one I’ve no idea of.
So it was with Nada Surf, a New York rock band formed over 30 years ago. Their newest release “Moon Mirror” rolls along brilliantly, light, rocky and so easily listenable. “In front of me now” is a song that had a hell of a lot of repeat listens for me outside of just playing the album and probably sits with “New Propellor” as highlights of the album.
*Possibly not a real word but I’m sure I’ve heard Keith use it on the podcast often enough so we’ll roll with it
Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Grian Chatten makes the album of the year list two years in a row, which I’m not sure is the monumental achievement I’m trying to make it sound. Returning with Fontaines D.C. after his solo release last year.
I’ve not a lot to hang my hat on Fontaines D.C. wise so I can’t compare to much of their older stuff, but there’s a punky 90s, stripped back feel – whilst still revelling in great orchestration. I’m not sure I hear as much of the “nu-metal touches” that I’ve read about in other reviews but as a teen of that era it probably would give me a predisposition to the sound. Raw, rocky, great guitar led songs from a band that seem brimming with confidence in their music. There’s a good chance you’ve heard “Starburster” as it seems to have a bit of play and sits nicely as a standout from the album but do give it a full listen. I’m sure you’ll have spotted it on plenty album of the years lists from 2024 already.
From Mumubl.com
Got an album you’ve loved from 2024? Why not share it on mumubl.com/ – Free to register and join in sharing the music you love.
2024 may have been a bit lighter on site content but there was some of the most enjoyable content we’ve produced on there last year in my opinion as we reached out to a few artists to put their spin on the Mumubl ethos. If you’re interested in adding your take on your favourite music and dont’ fancy just signing up and posting then do get in touch.
This post was originally published on the Mumubl.com Newsletter. For updates and recommendations direct to your inbox don’t forget to subscribe.
